I surprised my new crew member Bill with a visit to Thirsty Mermaid today.
I was here a month ago after getting onto a United States Coast Guard vessel and leaving Jacie Sails “at anchor” 35 miles from Key West. I was tired of the fried food at the waterfront. I asked my server at the Galleon bar where I might get a conch salad, and she recommended Thirsty Mermaid.
I walked about fifteen minutes from the Galleon up to the corner of Bahama and Flemming Streets. And was very happy with what I found: a nice, clean restaurant with tasty, fresh local food and a better selection of draft beers than what I’d been used to around the waterfront.
(Not saying I didn’t enjoy my time on the waterfront. I did. But fried fish and chicken wings can only sustain one for a finite period of time.)
I should probably mention right now that the conch salad was nothing like the Bahamas-ceviche-style dish I’d been craving…but it was awesome. The conch was actually cooked–and tender, for conch–and accompanied by some artichoke hearts and other good stuff. (Sorry, if I were a chef, I could tell you more, but you can have a look at their menu.
In short, it was a very nice place, with great food, tasty beers, and subdued music appropriate for enjoying dinner. (Look, I’ve been in SO many cover bands…but I just don’t need too much of that when my nerves are shot. Ya know what I’m puttin’ down here?)
This visit, we had some oysters, which were delicious (Thirsty Mermaid has an excellent selection), and I followed up with some Red Grouper on fingerling potatoes and broccolini. Very nice.
Anyway, if you’re in Key West and might enjoy some fresher food, served in an environment that doesn’t make you want earmuffs, and served by some really nice and attentive folks…maybe jump a few blocks off the beaten path and visit Thirsty Mermaid at 521 Fleming Street.
